Cloud Forest ~ bosque nubosoEliza Kate Hallan
Basics
What is it?20% of plant diversity3,021 known species1,500-2,500 metersTemp. 16-21°CTake up 1% of basic woodlands40% is composed of epiphytes
Photographer: Christian Heeb (National Geographic)
4 Life Zones
1. Premontane rainforest (700-1000m) Caribbean Slope, most altered life zone, no extravagant life
2. Low montane rainforest (1550-1850m)Located on both slopes, greatest amount of land, high
epiphyte count3. Low montane wet forest (1450-1600m)
lower level in the cloud forest, Quetzal and Black Guan, large Lauraceae population3. Premontane wet forest (800-1450m)
dryer than the upper regions, two layered, lacks epiphytes
Epiphytes 29% of the life, almost 900 species Non-dependent on soil Adaptations to live; sunlight Non- parasitic Finding nutrients Competition = Adaptation Examples: mosses, orchids, ferns, and bromeliads Aerophyte – “air plant” Aquatic species
Bruno LocatelliMosseshttp://www.panoramio.com/photo/89129623
Rhett Butler Bromeliads http://travel.mongabay.com/costa_rica/images/costa_rica_la_selva_0039.html
Climate
The climate is strongly influenced by the northeast trade winds
Moisture buildup causes the mass formation of clouds
Tropical Rainy climate Annual rainfall: 120 inches Most rainfall occurs from August to November Global Warming and the Gold Toad (1988)
Other amphibians and fungus
Caribbean and Pacific Slopes
CaribbeanExposed to moist windsThe ascending motion
of the wind up the mountain causes abundant rainfall
Tension on vegetation and cloud formation
Fog and rain during the dry season
Pacific
• Lower elevations
• Dry winds
• Less humidity
• Less vegetation cover
Strangler figs
Germinate downward from the canopy“Strangles” the host treeEventually captures nutrients from the forest
floorBecomes hallow because it eliminates the
host treeShelter for small mammalsGrow up to 50 metersHome to more than 200 species
Not disturbed during forest clearing due to its tangled structure
Relationship with Gall wasps
May be the only the tree producing fruit at one time
Tyler Wilson: Veritas
Continued…
ReferencesKaiser, J. (2013). Costa Rica: The complete guide. Chicago: Destination Press.
Hamilton, D. (2014). Life zones. Retrieved from http://friendsoftherainforest.org/life- zones/
Wilson, T. (2013). Alternative health approach. Study Abroad VERITAS Costa Rica, Retrieved from http://studyabroadveritascostarica.com/tag/ficus-tree-in-costa-rica/
http://www.reservamonteverde.com/climate.html
http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/facts.htm Rainfall graph
http://www.mongabay.com/04strangler_fig.htm Strangler info